I bought my ‘04 new and 134K miles later, I’m still in love with it. At 75 years of age, I just wish this bike had been available when I was 35. It’s truly the bike I looked for since I began riding at 14.
Really appreciated your review on the FJR. I've ridden one for a few years now, including an 8800 km tour, which is my longest jaunt on a bike to date. This is definitely a rider's bike; the engine is powerful and responsive, and I find the seating position very comfortable. It also doesn't feel overbearing, well, unless you are manoeuvring in a parking lot. I've purchased a quick-shifter and will be installing for next season. I agree with your comments about the lack of modern flash on the dash, however while riding, I spend such little time checking the dash that I don't mind. Another great point for Yamaha and the FJR is reliability, ease of maintenance and low cost of ownership after purchase. In these areas, the FJR totally outshines the BMWs you mentioned, IMO.
I have a 2005 Fjr1300 . These bikes are so reliable and so inexpensive to maintain that the purchase price is beyond fair considering what you are getting. It's basically a rocket ship that doesn't break. Safe riding
When I decide to purchase a new one I will get the FJR1300A model. It has conventional non electric suspension at significant cost savings. With the money saved I will purchase/install Penske/Traxxion Dynamics suspension. Its the best suspension. Best regards !
Glenn Gertz I had a 2009 FJR1300 and I sold it for the 2014 FJR1300 ES (electronic suspension). At that time the ES was about $1000 more. I can say it was totally worth the money. To make changes to the ride via a couple of pushes on some buttons instead of getting some tools out to tweak the suspension was a major plus. The extra cost of the ES is a no brainer for me. In 2018 I did change the FJR for a 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200. I am going off-road more and more and I did want a bit more comfort. The FJR reliability is 100%.
Hooray......at last.....my bike! I bought my matt silver FJR1300AE (the E is for Electronic suspension I believe) brand new just one year ago and I absolutely love it....for me personally it is the perfect bike. I shopped around, by the way, and got mine complete with the matching panniers for £1000's less than the price you quoted, so there are definitely bargains to be found. Prior to the FJR I had a Diavel, R1200GS LC, Goldwings 1800 & 1500 and Honda Super Blackbird to name a few, but the FJR is by far the best bike I've owned so far. All those other bikes were excellent in their own way but to me the Yamaha has just got the best combination of power, weight, comfort, wind protection, electronics and storage (via the factory panniers) and it has the low maintenance shaft drive. Like you I also love its old school "brutish" sports tourer looks. I've also had several people say "ooo what a lovely bike...", which, interestingly, I didn't get with any of my other bikes. I agree it would be nice to have an all-singing colour TFT display , a la BMW, but, having said that, the display the bike comes with really does have all the information you need, is clear to read with the black digits on grey and I actually prefer the old style analogue rev counter. By the way, the "cornering light" you pointed at is actually a front indicator - those cornering lights are incorporated into each front headlight. Welcome to one of the best kept secrets in the motorcycling world! P.S. I offered you mine as a "readers ride" last year, so you could have enjoyed one sooner! ;-)
Thanks for the comment Dave, and thanks for the offer of your ride...apologies if I failed to respond to you, I can sometimes get a bit overwhelmed with You Tube comments, e-mails, twitter messages, messenger prompts, Instagram responses and comments on Facebook (I respond to several hundred a day would you believe)!! Glad you love the big Yam - I'm seriously tempted I must say. Anything you miss about the GS that the Yam doesn't deliver??
Don't worry, TMF, I completely understand, and yes I would definitely believe given your incredible number of subscriptions! The honest answer to your question is nothing except for one thing - the "whizzwheel" menu selection and its integration with the navigator V that I had. My GS was the 2014 model i.e. same as yours. I was the second owner and bought it from a main dealer with 750 miles on the clock. Of course the GS is an excellent, if not legendary, bike.......all those owners cannot be wrong, however, and obviously this is my own personal view, I found that my particular GS was let down by the following: It felt a bit agricultural, with a very clunky gear shift (no quickshifter fitted) Mine vibrated quite a bit and the engine was not smooth, probably due to it having 2 cylinders! It felt a bit under powered to me The manually adjusted screen Instruments were difficult to read, subsequently corrected by the TFT as we know. Difficult to clean with all the nooks and crannies Mine was showing early signs of corrosion to the wheels, shock absorber housing, shaft drive housing & main stand and some of the silver engine paint was just starting to lift in a few places....and all at less than 1000 miles! Indeed the main stand was replaced under warranty because of corrosion to it All of the above "shortfalls" if I can call them that, don't exist with my FJR and after a year it still looks like new with no sign of any corrosion anywhere. And then there's that FJR engine and performance....................................!!
@@davidallen1213 interesting reply. All the shortfalls I noted with my GS years ago that no owners seem to mention when saying how good they are. The FJR has a bullet proof engine and they still sound and look good after 150,000+ miles.
I had 2012 and flipped it after I got too confident puling wheelies, the insurance company rit it off and id agree with them on that lol can off the back of it at about 60mph I hit the rear brake too late 😢😁
I agree with you on all points. I've surprised a few other riders with this bikes performance even on twisty roads. I've mainly owned sports bikes , and now with the fjr , I have a sports tourer that's more than capable. It's very comfortable. I can ride it for 10 hours and still feel great , unlike my sports bike , where I'd be very tired. A great bike. I highly recommend them. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Very good presentation
"Who cares about TFT's when the bike is this good"? Exactly! A bike should be judged for it's dynamic abilities, not it's trinkets and toys. Nice review. :-)
Old farts like me who struggle to see anything analog ! I ride BM K1300gt bloody great bike, goes like stink. The duolever front end is amazing and handles so well that I have managed to keep a few sports bike honest on it, or maybe it's just that big they can't get around it !
I had 2012 and flipped it after I got too confident puling wheelies, the insurance company rit it off and id agree with them on that lol can off the back of it at about 60mph I hit the rear brake too late 😢😁
I don't want to see all TFT displays, I work in the motor industry and know they'll cost a fortune to replace which isn't good for those owners further down the line when the bike gets older.
I totally agree with your report. I took one out for a test ride, liked it so much I bought one! Better than the BMW RT. Been riding bikes for over 40 yrs, it's a fantastic old school machine. The graphite colour is great too. It really shifts along in sports mode, you do have to be careful at times! Great for doing long distance rides, no problems at all. A fantastic machine..... Cheers Al
I used to own the FJ1200, your comments reminded me of one of the reasons why I liked it so much, and that was the comfort, speed, and performance it had relative to its somewhat mundane and decieving looks and image. That made it a bit of a stealth machine, great fun. They're different bikes but the heart/soul is the same! 👍
Having owned the 2013 and 2016 (we tried the BMW K1600 GTLE for 6 months before realising the FJR was for us) I know the FJR very well. We toured Germany on our 2013 and found the luggage capacity perfect. The 2016 was the same as the one you rode. I think you would have to watch your licence here. The FJR is a true Sports Tourer now that Honda have stupidly dropped the Pan European. Good review.
I totally agree Honda does stupid very well in stopping production of Pan Euro. I believe their answer to this was coming out with the F6B Gold Wing, but it’s not a Sport Touring Bike. I love my Pan Euro but would go back to an FJR.
Well I picked up my brand new 2019 FJRAE with all the bells and whistles and it is a stunning machine. Why anyone would need a more powerful tourer is beyond me. Had the bride on the back for a couple of hours and she loved it, apparently much more comfortable than the Ninja 1000( not surprising) and she had no aching hip/ knees etc. Cruise control is a brilliant feature and i agree, the electric screen is extremely handy even if being used to manage air flow to stay cool ( I live in Australia where winter days are 24c on average). Anyway, very impressed, Yamaha have done a great job with this design and I doubt i will ever replace it. Regards,Jeff
I'm picking up a fj1300 this Saturday I've watched many reviews, however yours is down to earth, factual, and entertaining! Keep up the good work 👏 🙌 👍
There aren't many options on the market for this kind of bike, market moved to super adventure, I you came from Supersport RR bikes like me this is perfect, BMW S1000XR is too vibey, Ducati Multi is Vtwin and I like inline 4, 1200-1250 GS RT lacks power, 1600 GT is a ship.... and in my country don't sell the kawasaki councours.. So.. not many options...
@@blaiseducdaumont1280 Underpowered, too adventure, not my cup of tea, I like powerfull, confortable, stable 240+k/h motorcycles. BMW 1600, Kawasaki Councours, FJR 1300, and even a slightly modified ZX14 . May be the new Ducati Multistrada V4, Didn't like pulsating V twin a la KTM also, From Triumph may be the 1200?
As an owner of a 2007 FJR, I believe you are spot-on with your assessment. With a nice Sat/Nav and quick shifter, I might be in the market to replace my 16 year old ride. I also wish the heated grips and power windscreen controls went back to knobs/levers. Fantastic review, as always.
Fantastic review. Clear, video and audio. Intelligent commentary, and best of all, NO DAFT MUSIC. Other reviewers take note. I also love the way the dials go all blurry at speed. Must be a fault with the camera lol. Nice work 10/10
It looks better without the bags than other sport tourers. Other bikes like the Concourse have holes and latch anchors showing. The FJ is very clean and sporty without side bags. However, you rarely see a review that shows the bike without the luggage. Thanks for that.
The best FJR review on the net! As always a stellar job Andy (I think, sorry if I've got your name wrong). I bought a K1600GT 9 months ago, but it's been nothing but problems. So I've gone back to an FJR (looks exactly like the one in this video actually). I absolutely love it. Reminds me of a by gone age of sport touring, like a VFR800 with updated technology and a huge engine! Fantastic. Take care.
Thanks for the great content as always TMF! I really enjoyed this review in particular as I have an FJR as my go to for long distance touring. Like you, I'm drawn to the old school aspect of the machine, it does everything well and nothing particularly exceptionally (other than eating up miles in style and comfort and lasting practically forever). While a TFT screen would be a nice upgrade, its apparent that Yamaha got the essentials right back in 2001 when they introduced the bike...it remains as relevant today as it was 18 years ago, despite it not being a terribly popular bike other than with die-hard old school sport touring types and iron butt guys...A mature gentleman's sportbike!
Thank you so much for you excellent review. Just purchased a Gen3 from 2013. I fell in love with it right away as I left the lot on a test drive. Your review really helped putting it on my short list for my next motorcycle.
Nice review and I can vouch for the comments made. I own a 2015 FJR with standard suspension. For those interested, the FJR is a perfect all rounder. I commute and tour on mine, it does it all. My only real grumble is it's quite heavy at low speed and easy to drop if you're not careful! Invest in some crash bungs, I've put protectors on the exhausts as well...👍
Thank you. A very honest review. i'm a pensioner on my second FJR and it suits me just great. I've the 2016 A version in matt silver which in my opinion is a lovely colour and which turns heads every time. Shame they dropped the silver in the new 2019 colour line up. I tried out the 1200RT and didn't like it before buying this FJR I'm currently running. Nothing wrong with the 1200RT, it didn't suit me. I do my own maintenance and it's the easiest bike out there. Re-greasing the suspension linkage is tricky but with a little patience achievable.
Hi, I've had my 2008 FJR from new, it's been amazing over more than 50,000 miles, I once left it outside untouched for a year with just a cover over it and it still started without help ! , this engine has never missed a beat, i'm glad you like the newer version, by the way, the controls on the older one for the screen and grips have their own controls which I agree is much better. i've had bikes all my life and this is the best by miles. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
I think the FJR is a bargain at $17k compared to the RT,which kitted out with the essentials is around $25k.TMF is spot on with the minor complaints which,in no way,would be a deal breaker for me.Only way to find out is to ride one.Thank you TMF,for the finest,most comprehensive reviews on the channel👍👏👏👏👏👏
Just bought the 2016 version. I share your enthusiasm. I like the gauges and overall styling (here's a clue - I got my first bike in 1976). I did 400kms today. Found the seat a bit firm after an hour, and the sidestand / mainstand / footpegs area feels a bit cluttered. It is a beast, but delivers the power smoothly. I didn't have to wait for the overtaking lanes very often! :)
This reminds me so much of the ‘99 Honda Blackbird that I owned, the one bike that I really regretted selling and that was purely to preserve my license! As you’ve just discovered, these bikes really bring out the lust for speed in you and in glorious comfort. Great review TMF.
Thanks for that, I have the 2001 FJR and it's just as good especially without all that electronic stuff! 3 or 400 hundred miles a day are easy and comfortable.
I have been looking to move on from my 6 days 350 ktm, all of the reviews of this bike are fantastic...I've just bought a 2012 model in silver and blue. Great and very very informative channel buddy.
pretty accurate review. i LOVE my 2013 fjr1300. when that howl starts at 65+mph, it sounds like a jet turbine. i really, really love that sound. thanks for the effort and sharing. thumbs up.
Very glad you reviewed this bike as it is on my short-list. I dont know many riders that spend much time looking at the instrument panel whilst riding(except to check speed and occasionally fuel level) so think the whole TFT thing is a bit over-rated, IMHO. As always great review, but you know am going to say...... ”please include a segment with a pillion on board when reviewing tourers👍🏻”. Regards and Thx again.
Handy to have the digital screen with the inbuilt satnav etc tho, but can just use a mounted phone or additional satnav added with the bike so isn't much of a problem I also prefer the analogue rpm indicator
You must have been reading my mind. Just the review I wanted at the right time as I fancied a change! Thanks for posting. It leaves me with a GS and a dilemma!
Good review of the FJR 1300AE which is the ES designation in the USA. I took delivery of my 2019 FJR1300ES in late November 2018! I now have 7,300 miles on the clock and haven't been on any trips yet this year. The cornering lights are above the headlights not the Indicators you pointed out. Yes they do work and quite seamlessly. The lights are phenomenal, with the main-beams on you can almost see the future! You can give a sun tan at half a mile. I had a 2007 FJR which was a write-off after hitting a deer at 70 plus, I stayed on and the bike absorbed a lot of energy, bending the forks, stripping the fairings, cooling and front brake lines. Another FJR was the only replacement after saving my neck. The fuel economy is significantly better by 20%. The touring mode economy is the same as the sports mode, however as you demonstrated by blurring the speedo reading, the sports mode is hooligan mode, hang on. That is where the reduced miles per gallon goes in the grunt through triple digits. The change to 6 gears is very appropriate and is part of the reason for the increased fuel economy. The riding position is subtly different from the 2007, the pegs don't scrape as early. The brakes are really powerful as is the engine braking. The addition of the cruise control is wonderful as this bike wants to go fast. Setting the cruise for the monitored speed limits or interstate (motorways) reduces the work load and tickets. The This is a magic carpet. It may be a high initial cost, but the running costs are gas(petrol), oil chnages (easy), tires (tyres), on my 2007 a set of tires would last 13,000 miles, it had 96,000 on the clock. I expect the same. This is a far cry from the Velocette Venom I last rode in the UK years ago. The side cases will hold a case of beer each, or groceries, you can get a lot of stuff in for trips. I have added lights on the forks for better recognition and depth perception by other motorists. LED vertical strips on the outer side cases make me visible and provide size at night as well as the three brake lights motorists expect on cars - outer and middle. Thanks for an honest review, I could almost see the s..t eating grin when you twisted the wrist, slightly.
I can't resist adding a couple of penny's worth here, having owned my 2nd gen 2009 now for four years and accumulating about 34,000 miles so far on it. It was a downsize move for me: I traded my GL18 for it as my wife took up riding her own bike. I no longer needed the passenger-oriented Wing. Besides, the ravages of age are encroaching on my riding days. My next birthday starts with a "7" and I'm no longer the strapping tradesman I used to be. Sadly, now the FJR is getting too heavy and cumbersome and I can see the day in the future when it's time to get off it once and for all. My biggest gripe with the machine is the width between the knees. I'm of only middle height and a modest 30" inseam. I'd ridden mostly Kawasaki my whole life, not low-seat bikes at all, but the width effectively shortens the legs all the more. I am pained to say I've dropped the FJR twice now, and fear the next time the adrenaline won't be sufficient to right it solo. The best thing on the FJR is that awe-inspiring motor, as so often mentioned in the video. It's just such a delicious sensation to wind up the throttle, to a fault. Why I've not been cited on this thing is beyond me. On the Interstate (motorway in Brit) it's surprisingly close to the Wing in capability, but far superior in performance. How it can deal with fast traffic is a never-dull delight. There are a couple of toll roads in this area where the left lane normal is 85-90mph, and you won't be terribly out of place holding 95+. The FJR is so utterly calm and competent in this work that it can almost lull you into complacency. Yet it can handle ordinary surface streets with ease. While the first generation were hot-runners, this second gen is not at all. I've done lots of summertime Chicago urban riding and never had the sensation of being cooked. To the narrow handlebars: yeah, that's a thing, and none too helpful. I widened mine by adding 2" extensions to each end (saving the hassle of fitting Heli Horizons) and the added leverage is much appreciated. Yet, high speed work is not in the least affected, and twisties time (we have to go some 300 miles to western Wisconsin for that) is actually improved by being less tiring, by needing less muscling. The windshield did not suffice for this part of the world, but the Rifle.com one is superb, much, much quieter and not flappy like the stocker. This older generation still has the analog speedometer and tach, which I overwhelmingly prefer. Call me an old geezer, but analog instruments are vastly superior as instruments. We don't use digital readout for critical dials in aviation, and they don't belong on bikes, either. The only advantage of digital speedometers is that they are cheap. The '09 also still has the five-speed transmission, which, for a real-world, traveling bike, is much my preference. My sportier bikes have six-speeds, and that's all well and good, but when you've got hours to go, less shifting is just fine. And that spectacular motor- did I mention that?- doesn't even notice the lack of extra cog. All I need on my bike is an electronic cruise control. Someday my fifth-gen VFR will be my "big road bike" as the faculties and powers diminish further, but the FJR is still in the garage and I still hope to ride it plenty more.
Great review TMF. I’ve had my 2008 FJR for the last 4 years and absolutely love it. Bags of torque throughout the rev range so rapid overtakes can be accomplished with ease, usually without even changing gear. It is heavy though and not as flickable as say a 1250 GS though so when spanking it, you need to set yourself up properly for the corners. New ones are pricey but FJR build quality is high. Older ones like mine are cheap as chips, rarely go wrong, straightforward to service, there are plenty around because they sold well in the days before everyone started buying GSs and are not so different to ride compared to the new ones.
I think Yamaha is afraid to restyle this bike, precisely because it is so beloved by so many owners. That's fine by me, because I fall in love with my FJR every time I ride it! And I happen to like the old-school "military" look of the cockpit: No Nonsense. If the price new puts you off, buy a used one. They are so solidly built, you've no worries about anything going wrong.
They saw what Honda did with the VFR 1200 and have decided to wait until the design department has a proper update worthy of release. IMO the FJR looks more like an evolution/upsize of the VFR800 than Honda’s own attempt. Love the FJR...
@@benstabile8493 Agreed, but I road a c14 and it's a fast bike and handles great for a big bike. Have had a c10 for 38000 miles and about to upgrade. FJR was on radar but keep going back to that heart pounding C14.
Thanks Mr Flyer. I concur!! Recently purchased an ex police 2016 FJR that I am just loving. They are an amazing ride. Looking forward to lots of miles coming up. Thanks for your excellent reviews.
Hi there I enjoyed your review of the Fjr I have a 2008 model great bike I love the colour Silver metallic I think some of the colours on the fjrs don't do the bikes justice they are top heavy. Clutch is heavy on the fingers at times but over all it's a great bike one other thing I love about the Fjr is it has 2 exhaust tail pipes that gives the bike a good ballance look and the fact its shaft driven is Brill. Keep up the reviews I will b watching. Stavi.. Ireland.
I had 2003 for a couple years and liked everything about it, except for the way it baked me in hot weather. So I bought a new 2006, and still have it today, 62k miles later. Fast enough, sweet handling, comfy, easy to maintain, and it's perfectly happy on the cheapest low octane unleaded. What I'd replace it with, I have no idea. A new FJR? That would be boring, but I can't rule it out.
The motorbike companies have been inhaling large amounts of glue during their board meetings. The prices they're demanding for two wheels is becoming ludacrous.
The 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 base price was $11,499 (US) and a 2019 FJR1300 ES lists at $17,500 (US on CycleTrader). To me a $6,000 price increase over 15+ model years and with the addition of upgraded technology seems reasonable. I would own one however the power delivery scares the heck out of me.
@@maxflight777 I'm not so sure. If they were the equivalent then perhaps, but by putting all this 'snowflake' bullshit on it such at electronic suspension or tft displays or whatever other office boy metrosexual shite they have on them nowadays it's bound to make them more expensive due to them having more stuff on them. Plus my wages haven't gone up by 54% since 2002 that's for sure!
Nice review. Sums up my love of the bike. I used to have one and rode it a lot. It was faultless and I loved it. I only sold it because I just fancied a change. Currently riding a Tiger Explorer 1200 XRT which is also wonderful.
I have my '07 and wouldn't trade it for a new one! Love everything about it. have under 50k mile. Mint condition. Basic electronics, no extra buttons. FYI They're available for a few grand and you will find it rides as good as the new ones if it's properly maintained. They are amazingly built and smooth as silk. I do wish I had the 6th gear but not enough to spend the money on a new one. Great review and I believe anyone who rides one will fall in love with it. By the way... you're riding on the wrong side of the road...
Gorgeous bike! Excellent channel! I have my eye on the FJR but may have to go for an older model for now. LOVE your style of video - Please keep them coming thank you :D
I had one of these a few years ago, since then I have had three Concours 14's which I prefer. smoother engine and a slicker transmission on the C14. This FJR has better electronics. Now I ride the Goldwing...
@@beardedbiker2647 The wing is great however it is my second one, I had one 10 years ago and I missed it. I don't travel but i like it just to ride around local, lots of room, wind protection and comfort and they handle much better than one would think.. Very quiet and smooth plus it has cruise control and reverse. Mine has both radio and Cb neither of which I use but they are there if i want to. The worst thing about the C14's I owned was that they are top heavy when moving around slow
A excellent machine one of the lads sold his old model last year with 245,000 miles on it had it since 2001 I think nothing went wrong with it only replaced clutch, head bearings wheel bearings and usual service items a bomb proof bike.
@@brucekendall52 That may be true, but the reliability of the Yamaha over pretty much any BMW is incredible. I don't regret selling my RT for the FJR and never will.
Have a new to me 2007 I picked up in January. It is the clutchless version and is insane fun on the highway. Tried a 2018ES demo a month ago but the amazing part is that the bikes felt almost identical. They had this baby dialled years ago. I also ride an XSR900 and this is a good match haha. Great review as always.
Re price - yes, 17k is expensive but you’ll find plenty of discounts. I bought a pre-reg Blue AE model with 86 miles on it for 14k inc. panniers. Re menu - agreed again but I leave it toggled to the screen which is the one I use most when actually riding. Re sat nav - don’t buy the £70 Yamaha part - you can get a ram ball mount that replaces the seemingly gigantic yoke nut but which is just a ‘cap’. Get a taller screen and use the higher seating position- sorts the knee-bend issue out. Taller because that way you get the same wind protection without turning the front into a barn door. Definitely old tech but this also means that any gremlins have long since been banished and if you want to do 300k miles, the. This is probably one of the few to do it on.
mario tsourou Owning a GSA1250 and having ridden the FJR blood biking, the FJR is far less comfortable, has poor luggage capacity and is very front heavy. It’s a great bike but for long distance touring I’d take the GSA every time, and I have no intention of taking it off road, the new engine is no slouch either.
Flyer! You done a flyer of a review dude! You also look as if you were riding it faster than I have seen you ever before. Your vibe on the video gave me the impression this bike is for you! at least one of the bikes for you matey. The AE on the model stands for auto electronic. I've owned two of these beauty's, a 2015 model which I put 25 thousand miles on in a spring and summer in one year and a 2016 model, the current model, the one you are riding here, same colour to! It has all round LED lights also and cornering lights as well, fantastic lights at night! The engine though, is the best part of the bike and your comments on how the bike rides and handles is spot on MF, really accurate. She's a beaut, enjoy.
What a beautiful bike. I was totally sold on getting as GS Adventure as my ultimate touring bike but this review has thrown a big spanner in the works. Super review.
Really enjoyed your review. I've owned my 2017 FJR since new. Agree with all your positive comments and the few negative ones you had. When one compares the FJR to the BMW RT taking into account the cost of ownership the FJR wins hands down. Cheap to own. Goes forever. Proven reliability over many years in production.
I had an FJR, a 2009 FJR1300AE, which in the US meant the auto-clutch version. I called it my cruise missile. Incredibly quick and fast, 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and I'm sure the 60-100 was very fast... it easily beat a C7 Corvette. It handled really well. This was before the Gen III with cruise control, but I used a throttle lock and took it on a few long multi-week West Coast trips (Seattle to eastern WA, Seattle to SF and back, Seattle to Vancouver and back, several times). Comparing it to my 2017 GSA low-suspension, it was 50 lbs heavier and more top-heavy with the I4 versus the GSA's lower Boxer twin. I loved everything about it except the combination of a 31.9" seat height and the wide girth (like riding a pony) along with my 30" inseam only let me get the balls of my feet down. I find that the GSA is easier to ride, easier to maneuver, the difference in weight is noticeable... but the GSA's 1200cc Boxer is not as powerful or as smooth. The FJR would easily pull above 2300 RPM and start taking off in the mid-3K RPM range. The GSA needs to be around 3500 RPM to pull well. The GSA gets better fuel economy... at 60 mph I'd get around 45 mpg on the FJR but I get in the mid-50 mpg range on the Beemer. However, the FJR doesn't really get less efficient until you get above 75 mph, but the GSA's fuel economy really suffers above 65. The FJR makes passing on the interstate effortless, the GSA takes a little planning and a lot of revving. IMO shorter riders will be more comfortable by far on the R1200/1250 RT, but if you have a 31" inseam or better the FJR is a fine bike. The RT weighs about the same but has less power and way less torque. The standard GS will run with the FJR because it's more than 100 lbs lighter, but the GS has no wind protection and isn't great to ride at speed on interstates. The GSA was a good compromise... 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, the wider tank/fairing gives you wind protection on the interstate, yet it handles like a big dirt bike while the FJR is a big girl and handles like a heavy sport bike.
The French cops/Gendarmes/Customs all replaced their beemers with the FJ some years ago. I believe the issue between the riders union and management was over the beemers ABS (at the time-before anybody starts) , whatever, the FJ is well established as the police bike here. As to remarks about its BHP, its the torque thats important for road bikes (in my view of course) , plus engine flexibility, and that's where the big fours have improved since the early days. The FJ has a long heritage, the early FJ1100 was a sports tourer albeit chain drive. I have to say though, having ridden many big fours, I quickly tire of them and prefer a twin or maybe a triple. And big tourers are great - if you do a lot of touring, but for a days ride out, they can be over the top. Build quality looks top on the FJs I've seen.
Torque is important because torque is the true measurable power. There are many who mistakenly think a bike with 120hp and 70 foot lbs of torque is more powerful than a bike with 70hp and 120 foot pounds of torque
@@dh2392 I think many Brits are focused on BHP figures, but maybe ignore where that max BHP comes in the rev range. I'll take 70ft ilbs at 3000 RPM over 120 BHP at 9000+ revs anyday. Torque of electric motors is probably the most impressive feature of electric bikes??
@@alanbriggs7177 That's exactly what people say about Harley's. "They have no power" and that's because they only look at horsepower numbers, not torque, and they don't understand the relationship between HP and torque. It's quite simple really, high HP, high torque bikes make maximum power in the high rpm range. Low HP, high torque bikes make maximum power down low and in the midrange. I don't ride at high rpm's, so power down low and in the midrange is far more useful to me. And torque down low helps get heavy touring bikes in motion.
Hi TMF, so there is a Vlogger in Florida Two Wheel Obsession (Brian Glynn) he owns a 2014 FJR1300 in Red, and he had to replace the seat on the FJR because of comfort after a while. Before I bought my R1200RT I was considering the FJR for sure, however at 6’3” the FJR was a bit too compact, between saddle and pegs. So therefore I bought the R1200RT, then because of all of the video’s that you made and TeaPotOne made and all of the other GS video vloggers I recently traded it for the 2018 GS. Yes I love the GS... Even my brother who had a R1200RT just traded it in for 1250GS, so don’t go talking about the FJR as a perfect tourer. :-) *The bad thing on the Yamaha is a service interval of every 3000 miles....
Same switchgear as my Super Tenere and similar suspension controls. Looked at this but went with the Tenere cos it was 20kg lighter (still heavy). It certainly has presence and is planted though.
Blimey have to say I totally agree with everything you say about this Great bike. As a Blood biker for many years I've been lucky enough to have ridden many miles on the RT, GTR and the FJR. Personally it's the FJR every time for me. Cheers..
Plymouth Janner Agree with you, I also ride a FJr for blood bike duty it’s my preferred bike to a RT. If and when my ST1300 fails this is the only thing that could replace it.
Blooming heck the stress levels as you keep us on tender hooks waiting for the white van! I have long admired these bikes and tried one many moons ago when I had a Yamaha Virago. Believe it or not the buzzy tingling through the bars was not something I was expecting and put me off. I do believe that Mr TMF may be an incy bit smitten with this bike :-)
A bit rich at nearly 17K. Had a FJ1200ABS in the late 90's good old workhorse, but you had to watch out if your tire treads were a bit down, otherwise you were off on the next tight bend :-(
A most excellent steed. Sadly largely forgotten in today's adventure, fashion conscious world. Unchanged for so long for a reason. Probably a lot more realistic for many than a GS which never goes off road and can be picked up too.. If I could afford several bikes this would be one of them. Good stuff Senior Flyer. Happy travels.
Only thing I can say is my 2007 Yamaha R1 was more reliable over 8 years of ownership than my 2017 BMW S1000R has been over 2. I'd bet cost of ownership would be a lot lower on one of these vs an RT.
Seen one of these at a bike show a few days ago and thought to myself this looks like it would be a nice bike. Got to demo it the next day. Not disappointed at all. Loved it.
They can always be had for a bargain as carryover models, at least here in Canada. FJR’s tend to sit on dealer floors for a long time as most here are buying cruisers and adv tourers these days. I bought my 2015 ES brand new in August 2017, and the deal was well below msrp(~22% discount). It may have been a bit unique due to the 2016 changes, but it remains a difficult bike for dealers here to move.
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the 2006+ FJR1300AE has computer controlled clutch (Quick shifter). Paddles on your left grip allow shifting with lightning speed, without a clutch. It doesn't even have a clutch lever. I still have mine, and still prefer it's design compared to the Gen 3s. Shifting is especially nice on the mountain roads of Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee.
Nice bike and a good review. A friend recently sold his 140,000 mile FJR, but he rated it highly through to the end. It's definitely one for the gentleman tourer, if that gentleman feels he's outgrown his R1/S1000RR/GSXR/etc!
Have always felt this is one of the best bikes I have ever sat on. Everything about it feels beautifully engineered. The engine is definitely one of the very best and wull last absolutely ages. Downsides are it's price and weight. If Yamaha get the weight down a bit in the next iteration then I would definitely buy it.
Knew a guy way back in 1987 did 275km per hour downhill on a FJ1200 red and white model. Back then in Australia you could ride one on L plates …no bullshit .
I own a 2013 FJR Haven’t ridden it much since buying a 2016 GSA , but after finishing a 3 week, 8000 mile cross country tour on the GS, I’m ready to get back on the FJ. I had 8000 miles of discomfort on the GSA and seriously contemplating a new seat or selling it. It was that bad! Btw, I’m 6’4” tall and have no comfort issues on the FJ. Thanks for the videos. I’m a big fan, no pun intended
@@maxflight777 For sport riding, I definitely agree. But for any distance, not even close. The FJR is the far superior machine. Plus the maintenance and reliability of the Yamaha over the BMW is not even close.
Another great review and I got the idea that you quite liked this bike! I always think that any bike you own should be enjoyable to ride, give you what you need in terms of functionality, but also stir the soul a bit when you see it parked on your drive or when you return to it, in the staff car park after a hard day's work. I think this bike can do all those things. It might be a venerable old beast and quite a lot of money (although cheaper versions are available), but it's lovely thing.
I bought my ‘04 new and 134K miles later, I’m still in love with it. At 75 years of age, I just wish this bike had been available when I was 35. It’s truly the bike I looked for since I began riding at 14.
Really appreciated your review on the FJR. I've ridden one for a few years now, including an 8800 km tour, which is my longest jaunt on a bike to date. This is definitely a rider's bike; the engine is powerful and responsive, and I find the seating position very comfortable. It also doesn't feel overbearing, well, unless you are manoeuvring in a parking lot. I've purchased a quick-shifter and will be installing for next season. I agree with your comments about the lack of modern flash on the dash, however while riding, I spend such little time checking the dash that I don't mind. Another great point for Yamaha and the FJR is reliability, ease of maintenance and low cost of ownership after purchase. In these areas, the FJR totally outshines the BMWs you mentioned, IMO.
Hmmmm ease of maintenance..swing arm /suspension maintenance is a nightmare..
I have a 2005 Fjr1300 . These bikes are so reliable and so inexpensive to maintain that the purchase price is beyond fair considering what you are getting. It's basically a rocket ship that doesn't break. Safe riding
Thanks for posting this. Really considering buying one
When I decide to purchase a new one I will get the FJR1300A model. It has conventional non electric suspension at significant cost savings. With the money saved I will purchase/install Penske/Traxxion Dynamics suspension. Its the best suspension. Best regards !
Glenn Gertz I had a 2009 FJR1300 and I sold it for the 2014 FJR1300 ES (electronic suspension). At that time the ES was about $1000 more. I can say it was totally worth the money. To make changes to the ride via a couple of pushes on some buttons instead of getting some tools out to tweak the suspension was a major plus. The extra cost of the ES is a no brainer for me. In 2018 I did change the FJR for a 2018 Triumph Tiger 1200. I am going off-road more and more and I did want a bit more comfort. The FJR reliability is 100%.
Well, I broke mine...
Smiling checking this review, why? Long time since heard such enthusiasm over a bike you’re riding! Adds millions in my opinion!
Cheers
Fredrik Svenburg There one Hell of a great handling machine u can corner with the street racers n Fast as Hall
Hooray......at last.....my bike!
I bought my matt silver FJR1300AE (the E is for Electronic suspension I believe) brand new just one year ago and I absolutely love it....for me personally it is the perfect bike.
I shopped around, by the way, and got mine complete with the matching panniers for £1000's less than the price you quoted, so there are definitely bargains to be found.
Prior to the FJR I had a Diavel, R1200GS LC, Goldwings 1800 & 1500 and Honda Super Blackbird to name a few, but the FJR is by far the best bike I've owned so far. All those other bikes were excellent in their own way but to me the Yamaha has just got the best combination of power, weight, comfort, wind protection, electronics and storage (via the factory panniers) and it has the low maintenance shaft drive. Like you I also love its old school "brutish" sports tourer looks. I've also had several people say "ooo what a lovely bike...", which, interestingly, I didn't get with any of my other bikes.
I agree it would be nice to have an all-singing colour TFT display , a la BMW, but, having said that, the display the bike comes with really does have all the information you need, is clear to read with the black digits on grey and I actually prefer the old style analogue rev counter.
By the way, the "cornering light" you pointed at is actually a front indicator - those cornering lights are incorporated into each front headlight.
Welcome to one of the best kept secrets in the motorcycling world!
P.S. I offered you mine as a "readers ride" last year, so you could have enjoyed one sooner! ;-)
Thanks for the comment Dave, and thanks for the offer of your ride...apologies if I failed to respond to you, I can sometimes get a bit overwhelmed with You Tube comments, e-mails, twitter messages, messenger prompts, Instagram responses and comments on Facebook (I respond to several hundred a day would you believe)!! Glad you love the big Yam - I'm seriously tempted I must say. Anything you miss about the GS that the Yam doesn't deliver??
Don't worry, TMF, I completely understand, and yes I would definitely believe given your incredible number of subscriptions!
The honest answer to your question is nothing except for one thing - the "whizzwheel" menu selection and its integration with the navigator V that I had. My GS was the 2014 model i.e. same as yours. I was the second owner and bought it from a main dealer with 750 miles on the clock. Of course the GS is an excellent, if not legendary, bike.......all those owners cannot be wrong, however, and obviously this is my own personal view, I found that my particular GS was let down by the following:
It felt a bit agricultural, with a very clunky gear shift (no quickshifter fitted)
Mine vibrated quite a bit and the engine was not smooth, probably due to it having 2 cylinders!
It felt a bit under powered to me
The manually adjusted screen
Instruments were difficult to read, subsequently corrected by the TFT as we know.
Difficult to clean with all the nooks and crannies
Mine was showing early signs of corrosion to the wheels, shock absorber housing, shaft drive housing & main stand and some of the silver engine paint was just starting to lift in a few places....and all at less than 1000 miles! Indeed the main stand was replaced under warranty because of corrosion to it
All of the above "shortfalls" if I can call them that, don't exist with my FJR and after a year it still looks like new with no sign of any corrosion anywhere.
And then there's that FJR engine and performance....................................!!
@@davidallen1213 interesting reply. All the shortfalls I noted with my GS years ago that no owners seem to mention when saying how good they are. The FJR has a bullet proof engine and they still sound and look good after 150,000+ miles.
I had 2012 and flipped it after I got too confident puling wheelies, the insurance company rit it off and id agree with them on that lol can off the back of it at about 60mph I hit the rear brake too late 😢😁
I agree with you on all points.
I've surprised a few other riders with this bikes performance even on twisty roads.
I've mainly owned sports bikes , and now with the fjr , I have a sports tourer that's more than capable.
It's very comfortable. I can ride it for 10 hours and still feel great , unlike my sports bike , where I'd be very tired.
A great bike.
I highly recommend them.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Very good presentation
What's with the 2nd gear problems? If you read about the 3rd generation 2nd gear problems, it makes it seem like the bike isn't even safe to own?
"Who cares about TFT's when the bike is this good"? Exactly! A bike should be judged for it's dynamic abilities, not it's trinkets and toys. Nice review. :-)
Cheers Mick! ....and I 100% agree, how the bike rides and makes you fee are the most important things!
Feel
Old farts like me who struggle to see anything analog ! I ride BM K1300gt bloody great bike, goes like stink. The duolever front end is amazing and handles so well that I have managed to keep a few sports bike honest on it, or maybe it's just that big they can't get around it !
I had 2012 and flipped it after I got too confident puling wheelies, the insurance company rit it off and id agree with them on that lol can off the back of it at about 60mph I hit the rear brake too late 😢😁
I don't want to see all TFT displays, I work in the motor industry and know they'll cost a fortune to replace which isn't good for those owners further down the line when the bike gets older.
I totally agree with your report. I took one out for a test ride, liked it so much I bought one! Better than the BMW RT. Been riding bikes for over 40 yrs, it's a fantastic old school machine. The graphite colour is great too. It really shifts along in sports mode, you do have to be careful at times! Great for doing long distance rides, no problems at all. A fantastic machine..... Cheers Al
I used to own the FJ1200, your comments reminded me of one of the reasons why I liked it so much, and that was the comfort, speed, and performance it had relative to its somewhat mundane and decieving looks and image. That made it a bit of a stealth machine, great fun. They're different bikes but the heart/soul is the same! 👍
Having owned the 2013 and 2016 (we tried the BMW K1600 GTLE for 6 months before realising the FJR was for us) I know the FJR very well. We toured Germany on our 2013 and found the luggage capacity perfect. The 2016 was the same as the one you rode. I think you would have to watch your licence here. The FJR is a true Sports Tourer now that Honda have stupidly dropped the Pan European. Good review.
I totally agree Honda does stupid very well in stopping production of Pan Euro.
I believe their answer to this was coming out with the F6B Gold Wing, but it’s not a Sport Touring Bike. I love my Pan Euro but would go back to an FJR.
Well I picked up my brand new 2019 FJRAE with all the bells and whistles and it is a stunning machine. Why anyone would need a more powerful tourer is beyond me. Had the bride on the back for a couple of hours and she loved it, apparently much more comfortable than the Ninja 1000( not surprising) and she had no aching hip/ knees etc. Cruise control is a brilliant feature and i agree, the electric screen is extremely handy even if being used to manage air flow to stay cool ( I live in Australia where winter days are 24c on average). Anyway, very impressed, Yamaha have done a great job with this design and I doubt i will ever replace it. Regards,Jeff
I'm picking up a fj1300 this Saturday
I've watched many reviews, however yours is down to earth, factual, and entertaining! Keep up the good work 👏 🙌 👍
Awesome, thank you! ...and enjoy your new bike...
The FJR is the aging rockstar - still fully able to bring it but a little creased around the edges. Impossible to deny it's a fantastic machine.
I agree..
Give me Queen over Justin Beiber any day....
There aren't many options on the market for this kind of bike, market moved to super adventure, I you came from Supersport RR bikes like me this is perfect, BMW S1000XR is too vibey, Ducati Multi is Vtwin and I like inline 4, 1200-1250 GS RT lacks power, 1600 GT is a ship.... and in my country don't sell the kawasaki councours.. So.. not many options...
@ ... have you test ridden the Triumph Tiger 800?
@@blaiseducdaumont1280 Underpowered, too adventure, not my cup of tea, I like powerfull, confortable, stable 240+k/h motorcycles. BMW 1600, Kawasaki Councours, FJR 1300, and even a slightly modified ZX14 . May be the new Ducati Multistrada V4, Didn't like pulsating V twin a la KTM also, From Triumph may be the 1200?
Great review! SOLD! I,LL TAKE 5! FJR-1300 DOES EVERY THING YOU ASK IT AND THEN SOME- SMOOTH ROCKET,RELIABLE,AND BEAUTIFUL- I,M IN LOVE!!
As an owner of a 2007 FJR, I believe you are spot-on with your assessment. With a nice Sat/Nav and quick shifter, I might be in the market to replace my 16 year old ride. I also wish the heated grips and power windscreen controls went back to knobs/levers. Fantastic review, as always.
Cheers Joe, appreciated!
Fantastic review. Clear, video and audio. Intelligent commentary, and best of all, NO DAFT MUSIC. Other reviewers take note. I also love the way the dials go all blurry at speed. Must be a fault with the camera lol. Nice work 10/10
Thank you Matt - glad you liked it!
It looks better without the bags than other sport tourers. Other bikes like the Concourse have holes and latch anchors showing. The FJ is very clean and sporty without side bags. However, you rarely see a review that shows the bike without the luggage. Thanks for that.
The best FJR review on the net! As always a stellar job Andy (I think, sorry if I've got your name wrong). I bought a K1600GT 9 months ago, but it's been nothing but problems. So I've gone back to an FJR (looks exactly like the one in this video actually). I absolutely love it. Reminds me of a by gone age of sport touring, like a VFR800 with updated technology and a huge engine! Fantastic. Take care.
Good choice!
Thanks for the great content as always TMF! I really enjoyed this review in particular as I have an FJR as my go to for long distance touring. Like you, I'm drawn to the old school aspect of the machine, it does everything well and nothing particularly exceptionally (other than eating up miles in style and comfort and lasting practically forever). While a TFT screen would be a nice upgrade, its apparent that Yamaha got the essentials right back in 2001 when they introduced the bike...it remains as relevant today as it was 18 years ago, despite it not being a terribly popular bike other than with die-hard old school sport touring types and iron butt guys...A mature gentleman's sportbike!
Agreed!
Thank you so much for you excellent review. Just purchased a Gen3 from 2013. I fell in love with it right away as I left the lot on a test drive. Your review really helped putting it on my short list for my next motorcycle.
Glad I could help! Congratulations on the new bike!
Nice review and I can vouch for the comments made. I own a 2015 FJR with standard suspension. For those interested, the FJR is a perfect all rounder. I commute and tour on mine, it does it all. My only real grumble is it's quite heavy at low speed and easy to drop if you're not careful! Invest in some crash bungs, I've put protectors on the exhausts as well...👍
Man, I love this review. I come back and watch it every so often, and it's still my #1. Thanks TMF
My pleasure!
Thank you. A very honest review. i'm a pensioner on my second FJR and it suits me just great. I've the 2016 A version in matt silver which in my opinion is a lovely colour and which turns heads every time. Shame they dropped the silver in the new 2019 colour line up. I tried out the 1200RT and didn't like it before buying this FJR I'm currently running. Nothing wrong with the 1200RT, it didn't suit me. I do my own maintenance and it's the easiest bike out there. Re-greasing the suspension linkage is tricky but with a little patience achievable.
Hi, I've had my 2008 FJR from new, it's been amazing over more than 50,000 miles, I once left it outside untouched for a year with just a cover over it and it still started without help ! , this engine has never missed a beat, i'm glad you like the newer version, by the way, the controls on the older one for the screen and grips have their own controls which I agree is much better. i've had bikes all my life and this is the best by miles. Love your videos, keep up the good work.
Thank you Mark - will do!
I think the FJR is a bargain at $17k compared to the RT,which kitted out with the essentials is around $25k.TMF is spot on with the minor complaints which,in no way,would be a deal breaker for me.Only way to find out is to ride one.Thank you TMF,for the finest,most comprehensive reviews on the channel👍👏👏👏👏👏
Congrats on producing the most comprehensive review on 1 of the best bikes in the world.
Just bought the 2016 version. I share your enthusiasm. I like the gauges and overall styling (here's a clue - I got my first bike in 1976). I did 400kms today. Found the seat a bit firm after an hour, and the sidestand / mainstand / footpegs area feels a bit cluttered. It is a beast, but delivers the power smoothly. I didn't have to wait for the overtaking lanes very often! :)
This reminds me so much of the ‘99 Honda Blackbird that I owned, the one bike that I really regretted selling and that was purely to preserve my license! As you’ve just discovered, these bikes really bring out the lust for speed in you and in glorious comfort. Great review TMF.
Thank you Roger - always good to hear from you!
Thanks for that, I have the 2001 FJR and it's just as good especially without all that electronic stuff! 3 or 400 hundred miles a day are easy and comfortable.
I have been looking to move on from my 6 days 350 ktm, all of the reviews of this bike are fantastic...I've just bought a 2012 model in silver and blue. Great and very very informative channel buddy.
I like the auto blur on the speedo when ya hit the gas! 😂🤣
pretty accurate review. i LOVE my 2013 fjr1300. when that howl starts at 65+mph, it sounds like a jet turbine. i really, really love that sound. thanks for the effort and sharing. thumbs up.
Thanks for watching....
Nice review TMF. FJR the perfect all rounder!
And that’s why he’s called the Flyer ladies and gentlemen. Nice passing moves!
Very glad you reviewed this bike as it is on my short-list. I dont know many riders that spend much time looking at the instrument panel whilst riding(except to check speed and occasionally fuel level) so think the whole TFT thing is a bit over-rated, IMHO. As always great review, but you know am going to say...... ”please include a segment with a pillion on board when reviewing tourers👍🏻”. Regards and Thx again.
Handy to have the digital screen with the inbuilt satnav etc tho, but can just use a mounted phone or additional satnav added with the bike so isn't much of a problem
I also prefer the analogue rpm indicator
You must have been reading my mind. Just the review I wanted at the right time as I fancied a change! Thanks for posting. It leaves me with a GS and a dilemma!
Certainly makes a change to the GS - and not necessarily a step backwards I’d say - loved my ride on the mighty Yamaha!
That bike has some problem that mine doesn't have. At high speeds the dashboard get's out of focus. The dealer must check that 😉.
lol good call.
It seems to be intermittent - there's a few spots its still in focus
:D
I have a FZ1 and a Super Tenere… should I buy this one also?
Good review of the FJR 1300AE which is the ES designation in the USA. I took delivery of my 2019 FJR1300ES in late November 2018! I now have 7,300 miles on the clock and haven't been on any trips yet this year.
The cornering lights are above the headlights not the Indicators you pointed out. Yes they do work and quite seamlessly. The lights are phenomenal, with the main-beams on you can almost see the future! You can give a sun tan at half a mile. I had a 2007 FJR which was a write-off after hitting a deer at 70 plus, I stayed on and the bike absorbed a lot of energy, bending the forks, stripping the fairings, cooling and front brake lines. Another FJR was the only replacement after saving my neck.
The fuel economy is significantly better by 20%. The touring mode economy is the same as the sports mode, however as you demonstrated by blurring the speedo reading, the sports mode is hooligan mode, hang on. That is where the reduced miles per gallon goes in the grunt through triple digits. The change to 6 gears is very appropriate and is part of the reason for the increased fuel economy. The riding position is subtly different from the 2007, the pegs don't scrape as early.
The brakes are really powerful as is the engine braking. The addition of the cruise control is wonderful as this bike wants to go fast. Setting the cruise for the monitored speed limits or interstate (motorways) reduces the work load and tickets. The
This is a magic carpet. It may be a high initial cost, but the running costs are gas(petrol), oil chnages (easy), tires (tyres), on my 2007 a set of tires would last 13,000 miles, it had 96,000 on the clock. I expect the same. This is a far cry from the Velocette Venom I last rode in the UK years ago.
The side cases will hold a case of beer each, or groceries, you can get a lot of stuff in for trips. I have added lights on the forks for better recognition and depth perception by other motorists. LED vertical strips on the outer side cases make me visible and provide size at night as well as the three brake lights motorists expect on cars - outer and middle.
Thanks for an honest review, I could almost see the s..t eating grin when you twisted the wrist, slightly.
Wow - thanks for that lot Peter - appreciated!
Finally, IT Is, here! Great review. And yes, i am sold. Will put The 07 rt for sale, andwill buy a 2015 fjr with es 😁
Your reviews are truly the best...objective, detailed, and fair.
Thank you!
I can't resist adding a couple of penny's worth here, having owned my 2nd gen 2009 now for four years and accumulating about 34,000 miles so far on it.
It was a downsize move for me: I traded my GL18 for it as my wife took up riding her own bike. I no longer needed the passenger-oriented Wing.
Besides, the ravages of age are encroaching on my riding days. My next birthday starts with a "7" and I'm no longer the strapping tradesman I used to be.
Sadly, now the FJR is getting too heavy and cumbersome and I can see the day in the future when it's time to get off it once and for all.
My biggest gripe with the machine is the width between the knees. I'm of only middle height and a modest 30" inseam. I'd ridden mostly Kawasaki my whole life, not low-seat bikes at all, but the width effectively shortens the legs all the more. I am pained to say I've dropped the FJR twice now, and fear the next time the adrenaline won't be sufficient to right it solo.
The best thing on the FJR is that awe-inspiring motor, as so often mentioned in the video. It's just such a delicious sensation to wind up the throttle, to a fault. Why I've not been cited on this thing is beyond me.
On the Interstate (motorway in Brit) it's surprisingly close to the Wing in capability, but far superior in performance. How it can deal with fast traffic is a never-dull delight. There are a couple of toll roads in this area where the left lane normal is 85-90mph, and you won't be terribly out of place holding 95+.
The FJR is so utterly calm and competent in this work that it can almost lull you into complacency.
Yet it can handle ordinary surface streets with ease. While the first generation were hot-runners, this second gen is not at all. I've done lots of summertime Chicago urban riding and never had the sensation of being cooked.
To the narrow handlebars: yeah, that's a thing, and none too helpful. I widened mine by adding 2" extensions to each end (saving the hassle of fitting Heli Horizons) and the added leverage is much appreciated. Yet, high speed work is not in the least affected, and twisties time (we have to go some 300 miles to western Wisconsin for that) is actually improved by being less tiring, by needing less muscling.
The windshield did not suffice for this part of the world, but the Rifle.com one is superb, much, much quieter and not flappy like the stocker.
This older generation still has the analog speedometer and tach, which I overwhelmingly prefer. Call me an old geezer, but analog instruments are vastly superior as instruments. We don't use digital readout for critical dials in aviation, and they don't belong on bikes, either. The only advantage of digital speedometers is that they are cheap.
The '09 also still has the five-speed transmission, which, for a real-world, traveling bike, is much my preference. My sportier bikes have six-speeds, and that's all well and good, but when you've got hours to go, less shifting is just fine. And that spectacular motor- did I mention that?- doesn't even notice the lack of extra cog.
All I need on my bike is an electronic cruise control.
Someday my fifth-gen VFR will be my "big road bike" as the faculties and powers diminish further, but the FJR is still in the garage and I still hope to ride it plenty more.
Thanks for sharing these insights
Great review TMF. I’ve had my 2008 FJR for the last 4 years and absolutely love it. Bags of torque throughout the rev range so rapid overtakes can be accomplished with ease, usually without even changing gear. It is heavy though and not as flickable as say a 1250 GS though so when spanking it, you need to set yourself up properly for the corners. New ones are pricey but FJR build quality is high. Older ones like mine are cheap as chips, rarely go wrong, straightforward to service, there are plenty around because they sold well in the days before everyone started buying GSs and are not so different to ride compared to the new ones.
Yes a tempting thought i must say!
I think Yamaha is afraid to restyle this bike, precisely because it is so beloved by so many owners. That's fine by me, because I fall in love with my FJR every time I ride it! And I happen to like the old-school "military" look of the cockpit: No Nonsense.
If the price new puts you off, buy a used one. They are so solidly built, you've no worries about anything going wrong.
They saw what Honda did with the VFR 1200 and have decided to wait until the design department has a proper update worthy of release. IMO the FJR looks more like an evolution/upsize of the VFR800 than Honda’s own attempt. Love the FJR...
@james jezinvedn Agreed! The Concours 14 is another sport-tourer that has suffered from "neglect". Seriously, no Cruise Control?!
@@benstabile8493 Agreed, but I road a c14 and it's a fast bike and handles great for a big bike. Have had a c10 for 38000 miles and about to upgrade. FJR was on radar but keep going back to that heart pounding C14.
What year your bike?
@@franklabs3766 2003 C10 and looking at a 2014 or newer C14.
Thanks Mr Flyer. I concur!! Recently purchased an ex police 2016 FJR that I am just loving. They are an amazing ride. Looking forward to lots of miles coming up. Thanks for your excellent reviews.
Congratulations!
I'm not a big bike kind of girl but I can certainly agree that the FJR looks proper.
Hi there I enjoyed your review of the Fjr I have a 2008 model great bike I love the colour Silver metallic I think some of the colours on the fjrs don't do the bikes justice they are top heavy. Clutch is heavy on the fingers at times but over all it's a great bike one other thing I love about the Fjr is it has 2 exhaust tail pipes that gives the bike a good ballance look and the fact its shaft driven is Brill. Keep up the reviews I will b watching. Stavi.. Ireland.
I had 2003 for a couple years and liked everything about it, except for the way it baked me in hot weather. So I bought a new 2006, and still have it today, 62k miles later. Fast enough, sweet handling, comfy, easy to maintain, and it's perfectly happy on the cheapest low octane unleaded. What I'd replace it with, I have no idea. A new FJR? That would be boring, but I can't rule it out.
Did the same as you for the same reason. The heat from the frame spoiled the ride in anything but cool conditions. My 2007 model had no such problem.
Best bike I ever owned! I've been waiting for you to do this video for years! Thanks for posting! Great review!
Happy to oblige!
The motorbike companies have been inhaling large amounts of glue during their board meetings. The prices they're demanding for two wheels is becoming ludacrous.
It's perfectly normal considering the current economic ideology.
The 2003 Yamaha FJR1300 base price was $11,499 (US) and a 2019 FJR1300 ES lists at $17,500 (US on CycleTrader). To me a $6,000 price increase over 15+ model years and with the addition of upgraded technology seems reasonable. I would own one however the power delivery scares the heck out of me.
Bikes overall are very expensive now, so are cars.
Bredaxe I agree it’s shocking
@@maxflight777 I'm not so sure. If they were the equivalent then perhaps, but by putting all this 'snowflake' bullshit on it such at electronic suspension or tft displays or whatever other office boy metrosexual shite they have on them nowadays it's bound to make them more expensive due to them having more stuff on them. Plus my wages haven't gone up by 54% since 2002 that's for sure!
Nice review. Sums up my love of the bike. I used to have one and rode it a lot. It was faultless and I loved it. I only sold it because I just fancied a change. Currently riding a Tiger Explorer 1200 XRT which is also wonderful.
TheMissendenFlyer's mind:
1: See national speed limit
2: Translates it to 100+ mph
3: Twists that throttle hard
I have my '07 and wouldn't trade it for a new one! Love everything about it. have under 50k mile. Mint condition. Basic electronics, no extra buttons. FYI They're available for a few grand and you will find it rides as good as the new ones if it's properly maintained. They are amazingly built and smooth as silk. I do wish I had the 6th gear but not enough to spend the money on a new one. Great review and I believe anyone who rides one will fall in love with it. By the way... you're riding on the wrong side of the road...
That is the quickest I’ve seen you ride 🏍 this is the one for you😎?
Gorgeous bike! Excellent channel! I have my eye on the FJR but may have to go for an older model for now. LOVE your style of video - Please keep them coming thank you :D
Thank you Jiva - very kind of you!
I had one of these a few years ago, since then I have had three Concours 14's which I prefer. smoother engine and a slicker transmission on the C14. This FJR has better electronics. Now I ride the Goldwing...
How are you liking the wing? I’m also on a Connie at the moment looking for my next bike...
@@beardedbiker2647 The wing is great however it is my second one, I had one 10 years ago and I missed it. I don't travel but i like it just to ride around local, lots of room, wind protection and comfort and they handle much better than one would think.. Very quiet and smooth plus it has cruise control and reverse. Mine has both radio and Cb neither of which I use but they are there if i want to. The worst thing about the C14's I owned was that they are top heavy when moving around slow
@@Bass.Player yeah me and my wife ride and got rid of an 09 ultra classic for the Connie got tired of the weight....
long an admirer of the FJR, happy it finally gets a worthy review ~ thank you TMF!
Thanks for watching!
A excellent machine one of the lads sold his old model last year with 245,000 miles on it had it since 2001 I think nothing went wrong with it only replaced clutch, head bearings wheel bearings and usual service items a bomb proof bike.
That’s very impressive
A lovely bike. I'd never considered one, but your review has opened my eyes 👀
Sorry to say it but I think it's time to trade in the BMW, that is one gorgeous looking bike, keep up the great work.
Wait until you service it.The BMW boxer is still the easiest big bike to service.
Certainly made me think!
Less thinking more buying hahaha
@@brucekendall52 That may be true, but the reliability of the Yamaha over pretty much any BMW is incredible. I don't regret selling my RT for the FJR and never will.
@@johnjones5977 I'm with you there John. I'm selling my K16GT now I have one of these. It's bullet proof.
Have a new to me 2007 I picked up in January. It is the clutchless version and is insane fun on the highway. Tried a 2018ES demo a month ago but the amazing part is that the bikes felt almost identical. They had this baby dialled years ago. I also ride an XSR900 and this is a good match haha. Great review as always.
Cheers Andy - some bikes that were good still are (my 2012 Street Triple falls into that category too)....
@@TheMissendenFlyer Have you put your order in yet?
Re price - yes, 17k is expensive but you’ll find plenty of discounts. I bought a pre-reg Blue AE model with 86 miles on it for 14k inc. panniers.
Re menu - agreed again but I leave it toggled to the screen which is the one I use most when actually riding.
Re sat nav - don’t buy the £70 Yamaha part - you can get a ram ball mount that replaces the seemingly gigantic yoke nut but which is just a ‘cap’.
Get a taller screen and use the higher seating position- sorts the knee-bend issue out. Taller because that way you get the same wind protection without turning the front into a barn door.
Definitely old tech but this also means that any gremlins have long since been banished and if you want to do 300k miles, the. This is probably one of the few to do it on.
Well done Sir. Good to hear a detailed review of the bike, whilst riding around the country side.
Glad you liked it!
Shame about the blurry clocks though. ;)
You'd think Yamaha would be able to fix that, seems to be a vibration issue, only happens at speed
@@tomnwoo hahaha...
Hehe.. :-)
@@tomnwoo :D
It's okay. They only seem to blur at high speeds...
Great review. I’ve had my 2008 for 6 years no fancy electronics does what it says on the tin, love this bike can ride all day great range too
I can see adventure bike madness going out and sports tourers coming back in the mix, after all how many of us take 1250 gs off road
mario tsourou Owning a GSA1250 and having ridden the FJR blood biking, the FJR is far less comfortable, has poor luggage capacity and is very front heavy. It’s a great bike but for long distance touring I’d take the GSA every time, and I have no intention of taking it off road, the new engine is no slouch either.
mario tsourou yes! I welcome the day sport tourers are back in vogue again😃 I’m not expecting it, but a guy has to have hope!
Flyer! You done a flyer of a review dude! You also look as if you were riding it faster than I have seen you ever before. Your vibe on the video gave me the impression this bike is for you! at least one of the bikes for you matey. The AE on the model stands for auto electronic. I've owned two of these beauty's, a 2015 model which I put 25 thousand miles on in a spring and summer in one year and a 2016 model, the current model, the one you are riding here, same colour to! It has all round LED lights also and cornering lights as well, fantastic lights at night! The engine though, is the best part of the bike and your comments on how the bike rides and handles is spot on MF, really accurate. She's a beaut, enjoy.
Cheers Paul - glad we concur!
Agreed on the dash, when you look at the Tracer you've got to ask if somebody had a day off on the 'lets do the instruments day'. Lazy.
What a beautiful bike. I was totally sold on getting as GS Adventure as my ultimate touring bike but this review has thrown a big spanner in the works. Super review.
Nowhere near the modern tech of the big BMW which is also fabulous but more expensive. Best check one out if you can!
Unusual how the speed goes blurry at speed.......
Really enjoyed your review. I've owned my 2017 FJR since new. Agree with all your positive comments and the few negative ones you had. When one compares the FJR to the BMW RT taking into account the cost of ownership the FJR wins hands down. Cheap to own. Goes forever. Proven reliability over many years in production.
What’s not to like!
I had an FJR, a 2009 FJR1300AE, which in the US meant the auto-clutch version. I called it my cruise missile. Incredibly quick and fast, 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds and I'm sure the 60-100 was very fast... it easily beat a C7 Corvette. It handled really well. This was before the Gen III with cruise control, but I used a throttle lock and took it on a few long multi-week West Coast trips (Seattle to eastern WA, Seattle to SF and back, Seattle to Vancouver and back, several times). Comparing it to my 2017 GSA low-suspension, it was 50 lbs heavier and more top-heavy with the I4 versus the GSA's lower Boxer twin. I loved everything about it except the combination of a 31.9" seat height and the wide girth (like riding a pony) along with my 30" inseam only let me get the balls of my feet down. I find that the GSA is easier to ride, easier to maneuver, the difference in weight is noticeable... but the GSA's 1200cc Boxer is not as powerful or as smooth. The FJR would easily pull above 2300 RPM and start taking off in the mid-3K RPM range. The GSA needs to be around 3500 RPM to pull well. The GSA gets better fuel economy... at 60 mph I'd get around 45 mpg on the FJR but I get in the mid-50 mpg range on the Beemer. However, the FJR doesn't really get less efficient until you get above 75 mph, but the GSA's fuel economy really suffers above 65. The FJR makes passing on the interstate effortless, the GSA takes a little planning and a lot of revving.
IMO shorter riders will be more comfortable by far on the R1200/1250 RT, but if you have a 31" inseam or better the FJR is a fine bike. The RT weighs about the same but has less power and way less torque. The standard GS will run with the FJR because it's more than 100 lbs lighter, but the GS has no wind protection and isn't great to ride at speed on interstates. The GSA was a good compromise... 0-60 mph in 3 seconds, the wider tank/fairing gives you wind protection on the interstate, yet it handles like a big dirt bike while the FJR is a big girl and handles like a heavy sport bike.
as previously mentioned here. i think you like it a lot. You went faster than you used to (at least when filming). cheers bro. thank you
The French cops/Gendarmes/Customs all replaced their beemers with the FJ some years ago. I believe the issue between the riders union and management was over the beemers ABS (at the time-before anybody starts) , whatever, the FJ is well established as the police bike here. As to remarks about its BHP, its the torque thats important for road bikes (in my view of course) , plus engine flexibility, and that's where the big fours have improved since the early days. The FJ has a long heritage, the early FJ1100 was a sports tourer albeit chain drive. I have to say though, having ridden many big fours, I quickly tire of them and prefer a twin or maybe a triple.
And big tourers are great - if you do a lot of touring, but for a days ride out, they can be over the top. Build quality looks top on the FJs I've seen.
Yes they feel like a quality bit of kit - proper solid bike...
Torque is important because torque is the true measurable power. There are many who mistakenly think a bike with 120hp and 70 foot lbs of torque is more powerful than a bike with 70hp and 120 foot pounds of torque
@@dh2392 I think many Brits are focused on BHP figures, but maybe ignore where that max BHP comes in the rev range. I'll take 70ft ilbs at 3000 RPM over 120 BHP at 9000+ revs anyday. Torque of electric motors is probably the most impressive feature of electric bikes??
@@dh2392 not sure where you get that idea about the Americans. Doesn't quite fit with Harley Davidson characteristics.
@@alanbriggs7177 That's exactly what people say about Harley's. "They have no power" and that's because they only look at horsepower numbers, not torque, and they don't understand the relationship between HP and torque. It's quite simple really, high HP, high torque bikes make maximum power in the high rpm range. Low HP, high torque bikes make maximum power down low and in the midrange. I don't ride at high rpm's, so power down low and in the midrange is far more useful to me. And torque down low helps get heavy touring bikes in motion.
Hi TMF, so there is a Vlogger in Florida Two Wheel Obsession (Brian Glynn) he owns a 2014 FJR1300 in Red, and he had to replace the seat on the FJR because of comfort after a while. Before I bought my R1200RT I was considering the FJR for sure, however at 6’3” the FJR was a bit too compact, between saddle and pegs. So therefore I bought the R1200RT, then because of all of the video’s that you made and TeaPotOne made and all of the other GS video vloggers I recently traded it for the 2018 GS. Yes I love the GS... Even my brother who had a R1200RT just traded it in for 1250GS, so don’t go talking about the FJR as a perfect tourer. :-) *The bad thing on the Yamaha is a service interval of every 3000 miles....
Keep up the good work, we Patreon members appreciate all you do.... Would like a review of the new R1250RS, if you get a chance. Cheers
I did 10K miles in one year on my bike. That would be 3 services. No thanks!
Bmw gs is mother of vibration. Not fair enough to fjr 1300 to compare it to gs or gs adv.
Same switchgear as my Super Tenere and similar suspension controls. Looked at this but went with the Tenere cos it was 20kg lighter (still heavy). It certainly has presence and is planted though.
I bought a 2019 last April, been riding the mess out of it, and I Love it!!
You like it then? I thought you were going to 'get a room' when you pulled into the hotel 😂
Blimey have to say I totally agree with everything you say about this Great bike. As a Blood biker for many years I've been lucky enough to have ridden many miles on the RT, GTR and the FJR. Personally it's the FJR every time for me. Cheers..
Plymouth Janner
Agree with you, I also ride a FJr for blood bike duty it’s my preferred bike to a RT. If and when my ST1300 fails this is the only thing that could replace it.
Absolutely solid bike. In this price range I'd also be looking at H2 SX.
Hubert totally uncompairable bikes though ;)
Blooming heck the stress levels as you keep us on tender hooks waiting for the white van! I have long admired these bikes and tried one many moons ago when I had a Yamaha Virago. Believe it or not the buzzy tingling through the bars was not something I was expecting and put me off. I do believe that Mr TMF may be an incy bit smitten with this bike :-)
I am indeed - a lovely bit of kit......makes you think.
Quickshifter.........? Try the AS with auto clutch. Very underrated, unknown I've had four now. Brilliant!
Bought k1600 bagger one u reviewed year ago.
Now just bought fjr1300 as the one you reviewed.
Amazing review.everthing u said.tku
Lovely machine Damian - congratulations!
A bit rich at nearly 17K. Had a FJ1200ABS in the late 90's good old workhorse, but you had to watch out if your tire treads were a bit down, otherwise you were off on the next tight bend :-(
A most excellent steed. Sadly largely forgotten in today's adventure, fashion conscious world. Unchanged for so long for a reason. Probably a lot more realistic for many than a GS which never goes off road and can be picked up too..
If I could afford several bikes this would be one of them.
Good stuff Senior Flyer.
Happy travels.
Cheers TT!
Only thing I can say is my 2007 Yamaha R1 was more reliable over 8 years of ownership than my 2017 BMW S1000R has been over 2.
I'd bet cost of ownership would be a lot lower on one of these vs an RT.
Almost a $10k difference here in the USA.
I have an 05FJR & I love it. I'm grinning everytime I go out on it 😁
The 'Brian May' of Touring bikes..!
...I guess that makes the RT the Meatloaf of touring bikes....
@@TheMissendenFlyer ..and the GS the Ray Mears of touring bikes... (This could get silly)..
@@TheMissendenFlyer this comment didn’t age well for the BMW… 😬
Seen one of these at a bike show a few days ago and thought to myself this looks like it would be a nice bike. Got to demo it the next day. Not disappointed at all. Loved it.
Good aren't they....
Great review til the price. A lot of money for a yamaha that's getting on in years
I got my brand new FJR1300AE last year for £1000s less than the price quoted by TMF by shopping around.....there are bargains to be had.
They can always be had for a bargain as carryover models, at least here in Canada. FJR’s tend to sit on dealer floors for a long time as most here are buying cruisers and adv tourers these days. I bought my 2015 ES brand new in August 2017, and the deal was well below msrp(~22% discount). It may have been a bit unique due to the 2016 changes, but it remains a difficult bike for dealers here to move.
Not sure if anyone mentioned it, but the 2006+ FJR1300AE has computer controlled clutch (Quick shifter). Paddles on your left grip allow shifting with lightning speed, without a clutch. It doesn't even have a clutch lever. I still have mine, and still prefer it's design compared to the Gen 3s. Shifting is especially nice on the mountain roads of Southwest Virginia and Eastern Tennessee.
Sounds cool! Thanks for watching....
£17k - 290kg - just those two figures are enough for me to swipe left 😒
Buy used. On this side of the pond there's always one for sale that's been farkled and hardly ridden available, or at worst well taken care of.
I thought it was a bit heavy too. Plus it is out of my price range.
@@maxflight777 I got the "swipe left" comment, but I have never used the service that made "swiping left" (in)famous :)
Nice bike and a good review. A friend recently sold his 140,000 mile FJR, but he rated it highly through to the end. It's definitely one for the gentleman tourer, if that gentleman feels he's outgrown his R1/S1000RR/GSXR/etc!
Hey MF..... 2019 Yamaha YZF-R3 PLEEEAAAASSSEEEEEEE
Have always felt this is one of the best bikes I have ever sat on. Everything about it feels beautifully engineered. The engine is definitely one of the very best and wull last absolutely ages. Downsides are it's price and weight. If Yamaha get the weight down a bit in the next iteration then I would definitely buy it.
That plus some new colours and a TFT with built in satnav.....
Sounds revvy to me. I'm always looking for another gear on yamahas.
Knew a guy way back in 1987 did 275km per hour downhill on a FJ1200 red and white model.
Back then in Australia you could ride one on L plates …no bullshit .
Crazy!!
Seems like a nice bike.
Rather flippin' ugly though!
I think it looks cool! Although the similarlity to a Suzuki Burgmann is a bit off putting!! (actually I like the Burgmann too)...
@@TheMissendenFlyer It just looks clunky and old fashioned to me.
And there are so many bikes that already look so similar to it.
I own a 2013 FJR Haven’t ridden it much since buying a 2016 GSA , but after finishing a 3 week, 8000 mile cross country tour on the GS, I’m ready to get back on the FJ. I had 8000 miles of discomfort on the GSA and seriously contemplating a new seat or selling it. It was that bad! Btw, I’m 6’4” tall and have no comfort issues on the FJ. Thanks for the videos. I’m a big fan, no pun intended
Personally instead I would have a bmw k1300s
Fair enough - I wouldn’t...
neither would I - I’ve had both
Not with that Yamaha reliability and build quality.
@@maxflight777 For sport riding, I definitely agree. But for any distance, not even close. The FJR is the far superior machine. Plus the maintenance and reliability of the Yamaha over the BMW is not even close.
Another great review and I got the idea that you quite liked this bike! I always think that any bike you own should be enjoyable to ride, give you what you need in terms of functionality, but also stir the soul a bit when you see it parked on your drive or when you return to it, in the staff car park after a hard day's work. I think this bike can do all those things. It might be a venerable old beast and quite a lot of money (although cheaper versions are available), but it's lovely thing.